The Biggest Lessons from the NCAA Basketball Season So Far

The 2012-13 College Basketball season is almost halfway completed, and, so far, we have learned a lot.

Teams that we are used to seeing in the Top 25 have dropped out of the rankings. Some players that came back for another season are ramping their performance up as conference play begins. Many coaches are seeing the fruit of their hard work on the recruiting trail and on the practice floor.

Let's look at 20 of the biggest lessons learned so far in this season.

The 6'9" senior has an uncanny sense of where missed shots are coming off the rim, and he works tirelessly to get position.

Notre Dame head coach said that Cooley "might be the best offensive rebounder in the nation:"

It's just his will to go after that thing. And he's very underrated as an athlete. He's quick off his feet. His reach is long. Certainly he has great strength. And he has great hands. Just super hands. When he gets near it, it's usually his.

Larry Drew II Is an Important Part of UCLA's Success This Year

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Yes, Shabazz Muhammad and the rest of UCLA's Fab Freshmen class grab most of the Bruins' headlines, but Larry Drew II's play at PG is a huge reason why UCLA (12-3) has turned the corner in the 2012-13 season.

After Drew's widely publicized and much-criticized departure from the North Carolina program midway through his junior season, Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton said that Drew II was "looking for redemption" this year in Westwood.

Drew II is No. 2 in the nation in assists, averaging 8.5 apg. As important as the number of dimes he's dropping is the fact that he rarely turns the ball over.

On the year, the 6'2" senior has 128 assists and only 23 turnovers. That's a ridiculous 5.6 assist-to-turnover ratio (No. 1 in the nation among players that have played at least 20 minutes per game).

Kentucky, UCLA and North Carolina Are Trying to Get It Right

For the third straight week, Kentucky, UCLA and North Carolina all were on the outside of the AP Top 25 looking in.

When was the last time that happened?

All three legendary programs have had their struggles this season.

UK (9-4) has no embarrassing losses, going down in defeat to Duke, Notre Dame, Baylor and Louisville. The fact remains that they have double the amount of L's on their record as they did all last year when they won it all.

UCLA (12-3) lost early legit games to Georgetown and San Diego State, but...Cal Poly? Really?

In the last six weeks, UNC (10-4) is 6-4, and at times looks totally out-of-sync.

While the Wildcats and Bruins seemed to have figured out what ailed them earlier, the Tar Heels are still searching for answers (see earlier slide).

These three Top Ten teams have significant talent and know-how on the floor with their seniors

Sure, most of these players wish that they were already playing in the Association, but their respective coaches are excited that they have players who have "been there and done that" at the collegiate level.

If NC State Doesn't Go Far in 2012-13, Their Shooting Won't Be to Blame

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NC State is the No. 1 shooting team in the nation, hitting a sizzling 53.1 percent from the floor.

Whether the Wolfpack drop it down to Richard Howell or C.J. Leslie on the block or kick it out to Scott Wood or Rodney Purvis beyond the arc, they have a better chance than not of putting it in the hole.